President Obama and First Lady Talk Malia's Dating Future

President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama with Malia and Sasha

Photo Credit: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images

Malia Obama, 14, has four more years left in the White House before she jets off to the college or university of her choice.

But in the meantime her parents, President Obama and First Lady Michelle, have one major hurdle to cross: boys! The First Couple sat down with People to talk about the possibility of Malia dating in the coming future.

The President was asked about his jokes on having the Secret Service keep boys away from Malia and if she wanted to put an end to those rules. "She actually doesn't pay any attention to what I say," he said, laughing.

He went on to share he doesn't worry too much because he and Michelle have set a strong foundation for their girls. "The great thing about the girls is they've got a wonderful role model in their mom. They've seen how Michelle and I interact — not only the love but also respect that I show to their mom. So I think they have pretty high expectations about how relationships should be, and that gives me some confidence about the future. I joke about this stuff sometimes, but the truth is they are smart, steady young women." Mrs. Obama followed up, "And that's the best protection."

But the President said he gets a little emotional knowing his daughters are growing up. "There's something about your daughters that just breaks your heart," said Obama. "It's just watching them grow up. When I think about the fact that Malia will be out of the house in four years it chokes me up. The finite amount of time you have with your children, and the joy they bring on a minute-to-minute, day-by-day basis — the idea that that's not there all the time is something that can hit me hard sometimes."